Utah Expungement Costs and Fees Stone River Law

Serving Clients in Utah - Attorney Bradley Henderson

Last Updated

September 23, 2026

Quick Answer: At the time of publication, a petition-based Utah expungement starts with a $65 BCI application fee. Certificates of Eligibility cost $65 for each conviction or case dismissed after a plea in abeyance. Court filing fees are $135 in justice court or $150 in district court. Attorney fees and other expenses vary by case.

How Much Does a Utah Expungement Cost?

For one eligible conviction filed in district court, the government fees may begin around $280: a $65 BCI application, a $65 certificate for that case, and a $150 court filing fee. The comparable starting point in justice court may be $265. These examples are estimates, not quotes, and do not include attorney fees or added case expenses.

Your actual cost can be lower or higher. BCI charges $65 for a Certificate of Eligibility for each conviction or case dismissed after a plea in abeyance. Other dismissals, acquittals, and declinations do not carry that certificate fee. Some records may qualify for automatic expungement and avoid the usual petition process.

What Government Fees Should You Expect?

Cost item	Current amount	When it applies
BCI application	$65	Starts a petition-based eligibility review
Certificate of Eligibility	$65 per case	Each conviction or case dismissed after a plea in abeyance
District court filing	$150	Petition filed in district court
Justice court filing	$135	Petition filed in justice court
Certified copies	$4 + $0.50/page	Only when certified documents are requested
Attorney and added case costs	Varies	Depends on scope, number of cases, and complications

Fee note: At the time of publication, BCI does not charge the certificate fee for other dismissals, acquittals, or declinations. Government fees can change.derstand the key components of expungement costs so you can plan accordingly and avoid surprises.

What Can Increase the Total Cost

The number of cases is often the biggest variable. BCI charges the $65 Certificate of Eligibility fee for each conviction or case dismissed after a plea in abeyance. Each petition also must be filed in the court that handled that case.

Costs can also rise when you need certified copies, record retrieval, extra petitions, a 402 reduction before expungement, or a response to an objection. A hearing or an unusual record history can add attorney time. Before you hire a law firm, ask which tasks are included and which expenses are separate.

Can I File for Expungement Without an Attorney?

Yes. Utah allows you to file for expungement without an attorney, and Utah Courts provides forms and instructions for people representing themselves. An attorney may be helpful when you have multiple cases, uncertain eligibility, a BCI denial, an objection, a hearing, an out-of-state history, or the possible need for a 402 reduction or pardon. Stone River Law can review your record and help you decide whether legal representation would add meaningful value in your situation.

Can Utah Expungement Fees Be Waived?

If you cannot afford the government fees, you may be able to ask the court for a fee waiver. The court decides whether you qualify. BCI directs applicants seeking a waiver of BCI fees to obtain the appropriate order through the court. Do not assume a waiver is automatic; confirm the requirements before filing.

How Stone River Law Helps

Stone River Law focuses on the full record, not simply the forms for one case. We identify eligibility barriers and explain whether expungement, a 402 reduction, a pardon, or another remedy may fit. This approach can be especially useful when you have multiple cases, an out-of-state history, a BCI denial, or uncertain eligibility.

Our Utah legal team can prepare the filings, respond to objections, appear at a hearing when required, and help confirm that an order has been processed. Clients receive a written fee quote explaining the proposed work, government fees, and possible added costs. Stone River Law serves clients in Layton, Farmington, Davis County, and throughout northern Utah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every Utah case require a separate Certificate of Eligibility fee?

Not always. At the time of publication, BCI charges $65 for a Certificate of Eligibility for each conviction or case dismissed after a plea in abeyance. BCI does not charge that certificate fee for other dismissals, acquittals, or declinations. Review the disposition of every case before estimating the total.

Does automatic expungement have the same costs?

No. Beginning January 1, 2026, Utah courts identify and clear qualifying automatic-expungement cases without the former request form. That path does not use the usual BCI certificate and petition process. Not every case qualifies, so confirm the status of each record before paying for a petition-based expungement.

Why hire Stone River Law instead of a low-cost filing service?

A lower-cost service may be appropriate for a straightforward case that is clearly eligible. Stone River Law may be a better fit when your record involves multiple cases, uncertain eligibility, a BCI denial, an objection, a hearing, out-of-state history, or the possible need for a 402 reduction or pardon. We review the complete record, explain the available paths, and provide a written fee quote before you decide how to proceed.

Request a Utah Expungement Case Review

To understand the likely cost and next step for your record, contact Stone River Law to request a case review. We will explain the available path, the expected government fees, and the proposed legal fee before you decide how to proceed.